Why I wrote, “Family Secrets, Lies & Alibi’s

I was raised as an only child, but lived with a cousin who was an only child also. I shared my home with her, my mother and step father. I didn’t meet my real father until I was graduating from high school on my way to college. It was then I was told I had two brothers, one older, one younger. To this date (I’m now a grandmother) I have not met either of them. I have often wondered if our paths crossed. Did we attend some of the same events? Well you get the idea.

I married my husband and he has a sister and two brothers but his sister is handicapped and he often wondered what having a sister would be like if she hadn’t been paralyzed on one side and unable to speak. I had been working with a young woman who had recently lost her brother. At the funeral she was told by members of his father’s family that she need not contact them since she was not a “real” family member. They had different father’s. She began questioning me about my husband. She had been told that her father had the same name as my husbands. I had known this woman for ten years and she never questioned it but after her lost she wanted to connect with her father’s other children. It was my husband, his brothers, and his sister that were missing in her life as she was in their’s.

“Family Secrets, Lies & Alibi’s was sparked from the thought…. What if they had met after the death of their father and no one told them the truth. My husband knew nothing about her. Suppose their paths had crossed and they did meet on a level of dating, relationships, suppose they didn’t have a strong family tie. What would the out come be? Most of us immediately say incest. We tend to forget they have no idea they’re related (The Family Secret), no one told the truth when asked (Lies) and the father is dead. (and Alibi’s).

Please visit my site and purchase my debut novel: www.myspace.com/ipendesigns

It presents the drama, unveils the truth and …..well you tell me.

Now Go Ahead and Blame The White Man

Now Go Ahead And Blame The White Man

I decided to venture through the city, explore what may be new
Working a nine to five each day, sightseeing ain’t what I normally do.

I let my mind drift through the struggles our communities face each day,
And my thoughts touched on what we often hear our people say.

We can’t get jobs the unemployment rate is at an all time high
Health insurance, taxes, the gas prices have passed the ceiling heading for the sky.

Programs are for the immigrants, damn we’ve been here longer then them
Let them get new businesses, buy property, give their kids scholarships,
it’s just a sin.

More kids on the corner selling and skipping school
Don’t nobody wanna hear that shit about living by the golden rules.

I stopped in mid thought and slowly looked around,
The saying “a product of your environment” now had a different sound.

Have you ever noticed the scenery in a city change?
We don’t even have to check the mailboxes, something ain’t the same

The lawns uncared for, trash and rubbish between each house,
Graffiti on the siding, what is that all about?

Doors wide open, cussing and drinking on the porch, what is that smell?
A stench of old cooking grease
Some of the places look as though they carry disease.

“A product of your environment”, the children romp and play
Did anyone even ask them what they learned today?

The white man don’t live here, it’s just us
I don’t think I’m better but I’m beyond disgust.

We blame others saying they don’t give,
Who do we blame when we destroy the homes where we live?

We don’t take care to make the environment safe,
Our streets are taken over by the thugs, dealers, and gangs
Even though we know their parents, where they were raised
We go back 400 years to blame the white man for making us slaves

Slaves to a community that we won’t take care of, not even our rented homes
Blame the landlord for the damage, the needed repairs, rent is cheaper if its slum

We don’t even know our neighbor…..cause we live in the hood.
The village concept wasn’t the white man’s, it was what made us feel good.

We felt good about our community, the placed where we lived
The families struggled together, and each had something to give

Words of advice and encouragement, a nod of recognition a friendly hello
“A product of your environment”, meant your home a place you wanted to own

When you get a moment walk through your “hood”,
cause you’re the product it made
Now go ahead blame the white man,
for creating that environment where only our people stay.

Copyright 2008
Nanette Buchanan,Author
visit my site www.myspace.com/ipendesigns

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A Calming Effect

Calming Effect

A calming effect through troublesome time.

A place for Peace of mind.

Nowhere to reach, nowhere to turn.

Search within myself inner strength must burn.

To fill the emptiness that no one sees.

A calming effect needed inside of me.

My mind burdened with stress, my heart misunderstandings,

a place is needed for mental and emotional handling.

An escape with a calming effect,

inside myself I must find.

A peaceful place for my mind.

Thoughts copyright 1998

Author, Nanette M. Buchanan

visit my site www.myspace.com/ipendesigns

Words from the Cell— Are We Free?

Words FromThe Cell

My current employment is behind the walls with those who the courts have found guilty of crimes and their retribution includes years of their lives. They watch the free world daily, through the media and the behavior of those they come in contact with throughout their years of incarceration. Communication with them becomes inevitable. There are those who once their sentence begins who are taking the time not only to re-evaluate themselves but the free world in which they hope some day to return. The following poem contains topics discussed freely by many of the men behind the wall……

Words From The Cell

I took the opportunity to read the paper this week
No, seriously I read it from sheet to sheet.
Figured I would see what was happening in my home town
Figured I’d take a media glance since I can’t go out,
ya’ know roam around.
I listen to the news from time to time,
hear some of the cellies talking about back in the hood crimes.
Didn’t need no names, faces of those that don’t communicate
That’s how it is when parole don’t even have your date.
I shocked myself ready everyday from front to back
I was even more surprised when I thought,
damn everybody must be on crack.
The system is in place to do it’s thing.
But the crimes of today, what the hell do they mean.
Never mind the murder, muggings and senseless killings,
smuggling, car theft and the usual drug dealings.
What’s up with the gang banging, initiations and turf wars?
What’s up with mothers and fathers offing each other, what is that for?
The kids that are being abused, used by adults,
they’ll never survive mentally, always remembering how it felt.
The politicians can’t shuffle the cards fast enough to give a raw deal,
boys they hired are pulling their plugs keeping it real.
Skeletons are falling out of closets, even those held most high.
What’s up with the teachers, priests and rabbi’s?
I’m reading this from a jail cell where I will probably live until I am old.
From this cell I can feel that the world has grown cold.
I cry at times when I think of the fate I chose in my youth, the decisions I made.
Losing my golden years in life is the price I paid.
But for you who are free, and choose what appears to be correct.
You live daily, trying to understand what man calls living perfect.
How perfect can it be with all your fears?
You check yourself and your neighbor daily, just as I do here.
Living not knowing whether the next confrontation may cost you your life.
Praying harder daily for your loved ones, husband and wife.
Wondering if your children took heed and listened to your word of wisdom.
You’re living daily on edge, full of stress and unwanted criticism.
Yeah, I live here, it’s obvious I have been deprived from day to day.
But you who are free what a price you pay!
If you educate your child you wil pay a kings fee
And that payment still don’t guarantee they won’t end up like me.
What about those seeking employment, the want, need, and desire for better jobs.
You get your pay only to find with the deductions you’ve been robbed.
Those who look, and talk like me,
those who are feared by the intellects, those who fulfill your society,
Have said lock us away and toss the key.
As I read the papers I wondered what is the new punishment to be.
Just a few words from my home this 6 x 9 concrete cell
You think you’re living better,
after reading today’s paper….I can’t tell.

I’ve often asked my self are we, the free society, prisoners of our own environments.

Nanette M. Buchanan
Author, Quiet Times copyright 2008
See my blogs visit www.myspace.com/ipendesigns

Black In America

Black In America……..

Do we as Blacks really understand the essence of being black? Have we checked and rechecked our history? Have we stayed connected to both the positive and negative results of our ancestor’s struggles and plights? If we can we all and those hereafter wouldn’t give a second thought to obtaining an education, voting, seeking to implement new laws. Welfare and other programs wouldn’t be a claim to the only way to live generation after generation. We wouldn’t accept community, education and living conditions that didn’t strive to best the best for our families. We wouldn’t accept our children sassing adults from the age of two accepting “Family Services” book terms to raise our homes then take our children. We wouldn’t accept our children Telling us what they will or won’t do. We wouldn’t accept their criminal behavior to ruin our homes and schools. We wouldn’t accept the gang recruitment of our children. We would have a grasp on who we should be, are and want our generations to follow.

Do we as Blacks really understand the essence of being black? It brings responsibility. We will not receive the acres and the mule. The lie was told to add glamour to a trip to this country that has held us in bondage ever since the journey. Our ancestors were foreigners that were used to build a nation, a nation that we need to embrace but remember we were foreigners. Foreigners can go to any country and succeed following the rules of that country. We complain about others who come to America and achieve………they learn the rules and succeed. They seek what their families can get from this loving government and succeed. They get financing, businesses, education, housing, health care and succeed. It is understood the policies that are made behind the closed doors but we as Blacks need to speak on what is afforded to those who now have the opportunities that exceed ours. But first we must follow the rules. We can’t sell drugs, loot, fail to attend community and school board meetings and expect things to just change. Millions watched CNN and complained but out of those how many parents are involved in their communities? How many attend their children’s Parent Teacher Meetings? How many know where their children are or who they’re with daily? I thank CNN for opening conversations, posing questions, recognizing there is a need for solutions. We as Blacks in America need to find solutions.

Do we as Blacks really understand the essence of being black? It brings determination. Our ancestors were survivals. They took on challenges and endured what very few claim they could live with or without. Today’s black families are scattered for various reasons. Our connection may be a result of societies pressures but really, families are not put together or torn apart because the Man influenced its makeup. Yes the economy takes two working parents and yes employment means that the educated have an advantage; but our cores in family are weak. There’s no longer “Mama” to bring the family together we they run everywhere but to church on Sunday. “Daddy” is not there to help the young men learn manhood begins when they no longer sit on the potty. Neither are there at the recitals, basketball games, or graduations. Neither is cutting of the videos, explaining sex education, spending quality time and this is not the responsibility of America. It is ours.

Black in America………..The topic is Do We understand The essence of being Black?

visit www.myspace.com/ipendesigns

Nanette M. Buchanan

Author, Family Secrets Lies & Alibi’s

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Do You Know Who’s Kissing You????

LETS JUST KISS AND SAY GOOD-BYE by T.D. Jakes When I thought of the lyrics of the song
 it made me wonder about a kiss. I had to meet you here today. There's just so many things to say.
Please don't stop me till I'm through, this is something I hate to do.
We've been meeting here so long.....etc....Please darling don't you cry,
Let's just kiss and say good-bye!
Powerful lyrics. 
 But why a kiss? A kiss is a term of endearment. A kiss is something that is the seal
 of approval. Guys always feel  that getting the first kiss from a young lady was the
 start of something. A kiss is usually how you greet your wife. A kiss is how you say
 good night to your children. A kiss is what you share when you want to let
 a person know that you love them! 

 So why did Judas betray Jesus with a kiss? This gives a whole new meaning for a kiss!
 Jesus had 12 friends that we know as disciples. He chose his disciples Himself.
 The bible says that he knew one of them was the devil. So for 3 years of
 Jesus' life he walked, talked, and had breakfast, lunch, and dinner with
 a man that he knew would betray Him. Some may wonder, why didn't Jesus
 expose Judas for what he was? Why did Jesus allow Judas to continue on
 with Him? The answer is simple. Jesus knew that prophecy had to be
 fulfilled. He knew he had an ultimate purpose in life. So in order to fulfill
 the promise,Jesus had to let someone he didn't necessarily care for as
 a person tag along to keep Himself focused on the purpose. 

 There are people in your life that are there only to bother you. These people are in
 your life to keep you on your knees. These people are in your life because they are a
 part of the problem and the solution. These same people will help catapult you to your
 destiny!  When Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, he opened our eyes to the fact
 that a kiss is not always what we intend it to be. Be careful who you let
 put their lips on you and your life. Be careful of who speaks well of you.
 Be careful of who always has an answer. Be careful of the ones that seem to
 like you but it's just something about them that you just can't put your finger on. 

 Everyone in your life is not meant to stay in your life. Let's just kiss and say good
 bye. You can't carry everyone with you. There are some places that God wants you to go
 that only you can go.
 Learn to love,leave, and live your life as God intended!
 The next time you're betrayed by someone you THOUGHT was a friend, just remember
 'Let's Just Kiss and Say Good Bye! Jesus already knew the betrayal was on the way.
  So get over it, step on it, and  don't live your life wondering 'why'

  I was sent this message and decided to ask you......

                     DO YOU KNOW WHO'S KISSING YOU???

    BE BLESSED, BE ENCOURAGED

   NANETTE BUCHANAN
   AUTHOR, FAMILY SECRETS....LIES & ALIBI'S
   www.myspace.com/ipendesigns